This study investigated Zambia's current financial inclusion state with specific reference to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It also sought to determine the relationship between the age of the owner of MSME, size, literacy, gender, age, the period of operations, asymmetrical information, and financial inclusion in Zambia. The data collected from 70 respondents comprising MSMEs owners were analysed using multiple regression, correlation analysis and descriptive statistics. The research employed dependent variables, notably access, availability, and financial services, as the dependent variable. In contrast, independent variables included the size of MSME, literacy level, income level of the owner of MSME, the period of operations and asymmetrical information. On the one hand, the empirical findings indicate a positive relationship between usage and availability of financial services, and 'MSME's age of owner, size, literacy, gender, age, operation period, asymmetrical information in Zambia. On the other hand, findings, however, also show a negative relationship between gender and financial inclusion access. Whilst a positive relationship with the remaining independent variables. Accordingly, the study concluded that financial inclusion is evident in Zambia among MSMEs. However, the primary issue is that most MSMEs do not have access to formal funding from formal financial institutions. Therefore, the study calls for policies to be put in place to help MSMEs have access to formal financing. In addition, it also proposes formalising 'women's informal sector, financial literacy roadshows for women in the informal sector, training women in digital skills to enable them to have better access to financial services and giving financial institutions targets to onboard women-led MSMEs.

En este trabajo se analiza el porqué del incipiente crecimiento de las Mipymes peruanas a pesar de las iniciativas del gobierno para dar lugar a la inclusión financiera como herramienta principal para generar el desarrollo de las microempresas, pequeñas y medianas empresas. En efecto, el financiamiento adecuado es una de las principales barreras del crecimiento empresarial entre otros factores como los costos e impuestos a los que se someten. Por lo tanto, resulta prioritario canalizar los fondos que ya se han logrado captar con el propósito de impulsar el crecimiento de las Mipymes para lograr una economía fortalecida. Actualmente, a pesar de que el gobierno cuenta con estos fondos disponibles y ha creado una metodología para asignarlos, se ha demostrado, a través de los resultados económicos, que los ratios como la PEA, los valores de exportación, la recolección de impuestos, entre otros, no son los esperados para responder a los planes estratégicos. El estudio nos ha permitido identificar debilidades y fortalezas en la estructuración de la llamada inclusión financiera, no sólo en el Perú sino a nivel de América Latina. Tomando en cuenta los resultados, se puede decir que existen deficiencias en la estructura de las instituciones gubernamentales que tienen la misión de impulsar la inclusión financiera, denotándose la poca experiencia en la creación de centros de desarrollo empresarial, los que deberían congregar instituciones con recursos humanos especializados para gestionarlos y aprovechar las redes para generar beneficios mutuos con una cobertura eficiente de cara al desarrollo económico del país. / This paper analyzes the reason for the incipient growth of the Peruvian MSMEs, despite the government's initiatives to create financial inclusion as the main program to generate the development of micro, small and medium enterprises. Indeed, adequate financing is one of the main barriers to business growth, among other factors such as the costs and taxes. Therefore, it is a priority to manage the funds that have already been gained in order to promote the growth of MSMEs to achieve a strengthened economy. Currently, although the government has these available funds and has created a methodology to allocate them, it has been revealed, through economic results, that the ratios such as the economically active population, the export values, the collection of taxes, among others are not responding to strategic plans. The study has allowed us to identify weaknesses and strengths in the structuring of the so-called financial inclusion programs, not only in Peru but also in Latin America. Taking into account the results, it can be affirmed that there are deficiencies in the structure of the governmental institutions that, originally have the mission of facilitating financial inclusion, denoting the little experience to generate business development centers, which should gather institutions with specialized human resources to manage them and take advantage of the networks to generate mutual benefits with an efficient level of coverage for the economic development of the country. / Trabajo de Suficiencia Profesional

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / The Peruvian textile industry is a highly competitive market and is one of the main economic engines of the country. The sector provides more than 463 thousand jobs and represents 7.4% of the GDP. Most of the companies, mostly family businesses, do not have enough knowledge to implement a management model according to productivity standards and expected level of service. This article proposes a production model for the clothing industry based on Lean management, combining SIPOC, VSM, 5S techniques and a production system to increase profitability in the short term and make it sustainable in time. The model is validated by a case study in a representative company of the sector. The proposed activities were monitored through the study of work indicators, in which the results indicate an increase in productivity by 59% and the fulfillment by 48%.

O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar a relevância do processo de comunicação para a construção de uma cultura voltada à sustentabilidade em uma amostra de micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MPMEs) brasileiras mediante quatro questões: a) as MPMEs consideram a comunicação um processo estratégico para a sustentabilidade de seus negócios? b) quais são os meios e ferramentas de comunicação utilizados pelos empreendedores para divulgarem seus produtos e serviços? c) como as MPMEs se relacionam com seus stakeholders? d) comunicação e sustentabilidade estão inter-relacionadas no ambiente das empresas pesquisadas? Para atender aos objetivos propostos, o estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas. A primeira fase consistiu em uma revisão da literatura sobre comunicação, sustentabilidade e MPMEs. Essa busca foi complementada pela investigação em sites, publicações na mídia e estudos a respeito dos temas citados. Em seguida, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo com a utilização de dois instrumentos complementares, o questionário e a entrevista em profundidade. Nessa etapa foram abordadas 79 MPMEs, que atenderam aos critérios da pesquisa, sendo que 40 responderam o questionário. As empresas foram classificadas de acordo com práticas de comunicação colaborativas e unilaterais, elaboradas com base nos modelos simétricos e assimétricos de relações públicas de Grunig e Hunt (1984 apud Grunig, 2011). Para determinar o grau de sustentabilidade das organizações estudadas foram definidos cinco estágios: transformador, integrado, mercadológico, ecoeficiente e rudimentar. Os estágios foram determinados a partir dos conceitos de Mirvis e Googins (2006); Lauriano, Bueno, Spitzeck (2014); Willard (2005, apud IBGC, 2007); Nidumolu, Prahalad e Rangaswami (2009) e Amato Neto (2011). Por último, as empresas foram posicionadas na Matriz Balizadora das Informações da Pesquisa, de acordo com as suas práticas de comunicação (eixo vertical) e estágio de sustentabilidade (eixo horizontal). Constatou-se que 33 empresas (82,5%) adotam comunicação colaborativa e apenas sete (17,5%) unilateral. Em relação à sustentabilidade, 29 MPMEs (72,5%) estão no estágio transformador, o mais avançado de todos, oito (20%) estão no estágio integrado, duas estão no mercadológico e uma no ecoeficiente. Concluiu-se que as organizações estudadas são muito ativas em ações de comunicação e relacionamento mesmo que não disponham de recursos financeiros ou equipes dedicadas a essas funções. As atividades de comunicação costumam ser lideradas, geridas ou executadas pelo empreendedor com elevada intenção estratégica. As ferramentas digitais conferem agilidade, flexibilidade e autonomia na interação com os stakeholders. No caso específico das micro e pequenas empresas (MPEs), viabilizaram o acesso à comunicação como meio de fortalecimento e sustentabilidade da empresa. / The purpose of the study is to ascertain the relevance of the communication process in the construction of a sustainability-based culture in a sample of Brazilian MSMEs by weighing the answers to four questions: a) do those MSMEs consider communication a strategic process in the promotion of their business sustainability?; b) what are the communication means and the tools adopted by the entrepreneurs to promote their products and services?; c) how do the MSMEs relate with their stakeholders? and d) are communications and sustainability interrelated in the environment of the surveyed enterprises? To pursue the proposed objectives, the study was segmented into three stages. The first stage encompassed a review of the available literature on communication, sustainability and MSMEs. This research was supplemented by on-site surveys, media publications and studies on the topics in question. Next, a field survey was carried out adopting two tools that complement each other: a questionnaire and an in-depth interview. During this stage, 79 MSMEs that met the survey criteria were approached; of that total, 40 enterprises completed the questionnaire. The companies were ranked on the basis of their communication - collaborative and unilateral, following the symmetric and asymmetric public relations models suggested by Grunig and Hunt (1984 apud Grunig, 2011) To pinpoint the degree of sustainability within an organization, five levels were defined: transformer, integrated, marketing-based, eco-efficient and frail. The levels were defined on the basis of the work developed by Mirvis and Googins (2006); Lauriano, Bueno, Spitzeck (2014); Willard (2005, apud IBGC, 2007); Nidumolu, Prahalad and Rangaswami (2009) and Amato Neto (2011). Thirdly, the companies were positioned in a matrix capturing the data gathered in the survey, according to their communication practices (vertical axle) and their level of sustainability (horizontal axle) We found that 33 companies (82.5%) adopt the collaborative communication approach, whereas only 7 (17.5%) adopt the unilateral approach. With regard to sustainability, 29 MSMEs (72.5%) are on the transformer level, the most advanced of all; 8 are on the integrated level, 2 in the marking-based stage, and 1 on the eco-efficient level. Conclusively, the surveyed enterprises are highly active as far as communication initiatives and relationships are concerned, even in those cases where financial resources or dedicated teams are not available. The communication activities are usually led, managed or carried out by the entrepreneur with a high strategic vision. The digital tools lend \"promptness, flexibility and autonomy in the interaction with the stakeholders. In the case of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) specifically, the access to communication has been understood as a means of strengthening the company.

O objetivo da pesquisa é verificar a relevância do processo de comunicação para a construção de uma cultura voltada à sustentabilidade em uma amostra de micro, pequenas e médias empresas (MPMEs) brasileiras mediante quatro questões: a) as MPMEs consideram a comunicação um processo estratégico para a sustentabilidade de seus negócios? b) quais são os meios e ferramentas de comunicação utilizados pelos empreendedores para divulgarem seus produtos e serviços? c) como as MPMEs se relacionam com seus stakeholders? d) comunicação e sustentabilidade estão inter-relacionadas no ambiente das empresas pesquisadas? Para atender aos objetivos propostos, o estudo foi desenvolvido em três etapas. A primeira fase consistiu em uma revisão da literatura sobre comunicação, sustentabilidade e MPMEs. Essa busca foi complementada pela investigação em sites, publicações na mídia e estudos a respeito dos temas citados. Em seguida, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo com a utilização de dois instrumentos complementares, o questionário e a entrevista em profundidade. Nessa etapa foram abordadas 79 MPMEs, que atenderam aos critérios da pesquisa, sendo que 40 responderam o questionário. As empresas foram classificadas de acordo com práticas de comunicação colaborativas e unilaterais, elaboradas com base nos modelos simétricos e assimétricos de relações públicas de Grunig e Hunt (1984 apud Grunig, 2011). Para determinar o grau de sustentabilidade das organizações estudadas foram definidos cinco estágios: transformador, integrado, mercadológico, ecoeficiente e rudimentar. Os estágios foram determinados a partir dos conceitos de Mirvis e Googins (2006); Lauriano, Bueno, Spitzeck (2014); Willard (2005, apud IBGC, 2007); Nidumolu, Prahalad e Rangaswami (2009) e Amato Neto (2011). Por último, as empresas foram posicionadas na Matriz Balizadora das Informações da Pesquisa, de acordo com as suas práticas de comunicação (eixo vertical) e estágio de sustentabilidade (eixo horizontal). Constatou-se que 33 empresas (82,5%) adotam comunicação colaborativa e apenas sete (17,5%) unilateral. Em relação à sustentabilidade, 29 MPMEs (72,5%) estão no estágio transformador, o mais avançado de todos, oito (20%) estão no estágio integrado, duas estão no mercadológico e uma no ecoeficiente. Concluiu-se que as organizações estudadas são muito ativas em ações de comunicação e relacionamento mesmo que não disponham de recursos financeiros ou equipes dedicadas a essas funções. As atividades de comunicação costumam ser lideradas, geridas ou executadas pelo empreendedor com elevada intenção estratégica. As ferramentas digitais conferem agilidade, flexibilidade e autonomia na interação com os stakeholders. No caso específico das micro e pequenas empresas (MPEs), viabilizaram o acesso à comunicação como meio de fortalecimento e sustentabilidade da empresa. / The purpose of the study is to ascertain the relevance of the communication process in the construction of a sustainability-based culture in a sample of Brazilian MSMEs by weighing the answers to four questions: a) do those MSMEs consider communication a strategic process in the promotion of their business sustainability?; b) what are the communication means and the tools adopted by the entrepreneurs to promote their products and services?; c) how do the MSMEs relate with their stakeholders? and d) are communications and sustainability interrelated in the environment of the surveyed enterprises? To pursue the proposed objectives, the study was segmented into three stages. The first stage encompassed a review of the available literature on communication, sustainability and MSMEs. This research was supplemented by on-site surveys, media publications and studies on the topics in question. Next, a field survey was carried out adopting two tools that complement each other: a questionnaire and an in-depth interview. During this stage, 79 MSMEs that met the survey criteria were approached; of that total, 40 enterprises completed the questionnaire. The companies were ranked on the basis of their communication - collaborative and unilateral, following the symmetric and asymmetric public relations models suggested by Grunig and Hunt (1984 apud Grunig, 2011) To pinpoint the degree of sustainability within an organization, five levels were defined: transformer, integrated, marketing-based, eco-efficient and frail. The levels were defined on the basis of the work developed by Mirvis and Googins (2006); Lauriano, Bueno, Spitzeck (2014); Willard (2005, apud IBGC, 2007); Nidumolu, Prahalad and Rangaswami (2009) and Amato Neto (2011). Thirdly, the companies were positioned in a matrix capturing the data gathered in the survey, according to their communication practices (vertical axle) and their level of sustainability (horizontal axle) We found that 33 companies (82.5%) adopt the collaborative communication approach, whereas only 7 (17.5%) adopt the unilateral approach. With regard to sustainability, 29 MSMEs (72.5%) are on the transformer level, the most advanced of all; 8 are on the integrated level, 2 in the marking-based stage, and 1 on the eco-efficient level. Conclusively, the surveyed enterprises are highly active as far as communication initiatives and relationships are concerned, even in those cases where financial resources or dedicated teams are not available. The communication activities are usually led, managed or carried out by the entrepreneur with a high strategic vision. The digital tools lend \"promptness, flexibility and autonomy in the interaction with the stakeholders. In the case of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) specifically, the access to communication has been understood as a means of strengthening the company.

Economic growth and development are strategic for the overall development of a country. Micro, small and medium enterprises play a surmountable role in economic growth and development. Among other contributions, they provide jobs in an economy. Several developing countries, such as Eritrea, face limited private sector growth, yet also have the need to invest in the creation of enough and decent job for youths. Hence, this study intended to identify the prominent factors that deter the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises as well as the connection between their growth and youth employment, using a case study of Eritrea. The study used econometric research method. Through stratified sampling and a questionnaire, it collected data from 76 micro, small and medium enterprises. In the analysis, it used ordinal and binary logistic regressions, chi-square and correlation tests. The study concludes that there is no sufficient evidence that the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises influences youth employment. It finds that the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises is deterred by obstructive access to raw materials, obstructive banking regulations and obstructive general business regulations and policies. The study recommends improvement of the macro-economic conditions for pro-business sector growth, establishment of a policy on development of micro, small and medium enterprises, and a gradual liberalization of the private economy. Further, it proposes an impact investing based growth model of micro, small and medium enterprises to increase certainty on employment creation contribution. It suggests that an investment in micro, small and medium enterprises for youth employment creation that does not address the identified deterrents faces a significant impact risk.

Micro, Small and Medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) represent 99.9% of businesses in the UK and they face significant challenges with regards to start-up, survival and growth. Their ability to deal with these challenges is assisted, in some cases, by the provision of business support funded by the public sector. Unfortunately, despite the volume of such businesses, there remains a significant lack of qualitative data into the MSME sector, and their use of university led business support. This thesis examined the business support agenda, the support needs of MSMEs, the role of universities in the provision of business support, and the needs of public funding bodies, with regards to economic sustainability and growth in the West Midlands. The choice to focus on the West Midlands region was largely pragmatic; the researcher has existing relationships with the small business community and University networks within the region allowing for a comparable study of stakeholders with similar environmental, political and economical challenges. Whilst the findings are therefore in relation to the West Midlands region, they have been compared to secondary data and theoretical frameworks in order to propose a contribution, which is applicable to a wider audience. The thesis adopted an exploratory, interpretivist methodology with an emphasis on the practical importance of the research results. Through an explanatory sequential mixed methods approach, surveys were used to collect data from MSME business owners, followed by in-depth interviews with university staff in order to produce institutional case studies. The surveys with MSME owners identified a need for support that was free, local, face-to-face and delivered by an organisation with a good reputation for delivering business support. The survey data also indicated confusion amongst MSME owners about the availability of support from universities, as well as questions around the quality of support provided by universities and its impact. The interviews, and case studies, revealed a significant level of interest, and a feeling of responsibility, from universities towards supporting the MSME community. However there were consistent challenges around funding, sustainability, resources, flexibility of delivery, and the longevity of any enterprise strategy. The research makes a useful contribution to knowledge through the development of multiple case studies and the development of a conceptual framework for a sustainable system of university led, MSME business support. The model, and analysis, considers the detailed experiences, challenges and opportunities from the stakeholders and proposed a sustainable support system. This contribution to literature provides a unique perspective for both practical application and for the research community to utilise further.

Sustainability is a topic that gains more attention each year and new legislationforces companies around the world to follow more strict reporting. At the sametime, the United Nations (UN) has updated its Millennium Development Goals(MDGs) to the newer Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aresupposed to be marked throughout corporations, governments, and nations.These new goals are important for both emerging countries as well asdeveloped countries to strive for a better world for all. This thesis aimed toinvestigate what barriers and enablers Multinational Small and Medium-sizedEnterprises (MSMEs) in Sweden met when they incorporated the UN SDGsinto their companies' operations. The research aimed to find how the MSMEsdealt with various barriers, what enablers support SDGs implementation, andthe best practices for other (M)SMEs to follow. A qualitative multi-case studywith different MSMEs in Sweden was chosen through an abductive approachand thematic analysis. Furthermore, the SDGs4SMEs Roadmap to SDGsimplementation in (M)SMEs was created by the authors as a contribution toacademic international business studies as well for Swedish (M)SMEs. In theempirical findings chapter, several barriers and enablers were discovered, andhow MSMEs dealt with them. In the conclusion part, theoretical implicationsare given. Moreover, by comparing the empirical data retrieved, theresearchers identified best practices for (M)SMEs that further facilitate SDGsimplementation. As a result, recommendations for policymakers and managersare conveyed in a step-by-step manner to be easily applicable for most(M)SMEs around Sweden. This is the authors’ contribution, the SDGs4SMEsRoadmap followed by limitations and future research recommendations.

One factor of the leadership stratagem is to account for the core values, operations, and growth of the organization. The purpose of this case study was to ascertain the financial strategies small business leaders incorporate to help ensure growth of small businesses. The conceptual framework of Schumpeter's innovation and entrepreneurship theory and the Grameen model were included to drive the scope and analysis of this study. A purposive sample of 8 leaders from successful small businesses in Islamabad contributed to a focus group session; 4 out of these participants originated from the finance and management department and 4 represented sales and product development departments working in 3 outlets of the firm. Transcript review and member checking were used to support the reliability of the interpretation of participants regarding what they said and meant from their responses. Moreover, company documents were reviewed to triangulate the data. Yin's 5-step data analysis plan was used for the final data analysis. Four major themes surfaced from data analysis: Microfinance, product quality, customer care, and strategic vision. These endorse business leader stratagem and association to their mission, financial strategy, overall business operations, and survival and growth. Product quality is vital to maintain and retain valuable customer for revenue generation. Customer care is emphasized for its importance as an ethical practice and gaining customers confidence. Strategic vision is recognized as the foremost leadership skillset to plan and organize future business strategies effectively, which impacts business growth and longevity. The outcome of this study may contribute to positive social change by enhancing understanding of the leadership strategies that impact the longevity of the business to secure jobs and benefit employees, their families, and the surrounding community.

<p>This study extends the existing literature on how social networks enhance the performance and sustainability of small enterprises. More specifically, the study isolates and investigates the mechanisms through which social capital helps with the growth and survival of MSMEs. The evidence presented in this study strongly suggests that an indigenous social network widely practiced in Ethiopia, the &ldquo / iqqub&rdquo / , contributes significantly to the start-up, survival and development of urban MSMEs.</p>